SOLICH TO RETURN TO MEMORIAL STADIUM FOR RED-WHITE SPRING GAME:
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts had been working on a project pretty much since the day he took the job in July 2021.
During his monthly show on the Huskers Radio Network Wednesday, Alberts said that the program would honor former head football coach Frank Solich during NU’s Red-White Spring Game on April 22.
The news was significant given that Solich has not publicly appeared at NU since his firing in 2003. In 2018 he received the Tom Osborne Legacy Award at the Outland Trophy ceremony in Omaha, and in 2012 he was inducted into the Lincoln Southeast Hall of Fame for his time as a football coach there.
Alberts said Solich and his family would be on-hand for the event, adding that there would be “another special announcement” during the game regarding Solich.
A fullback at Nebraska from 1963-65, Solich joined Tom Osborne’s coaching staff in 1979, serving as the team’s running backs coach from 1983-97.
Solich went 58-19 in his six seasons at the helm, going to six straight bowl games. That included winning the 1999 Big 12 Conference title and taking NU to its last national championship appearance in the 2001 Rose Bowl.
KEARNEY BASEBALL GETS BACK TO ACTION AT LINCOLN EAST:
The Kearney Baseball squad returns to action after several postponements earlier in the week to take on Lincoln East at Den Hartog field. First pitch is set for 4 PM with KGFW’s pregame at 3:45 PM.
This contest was originally scheduled to be played at Memorial Field but was moved due to snow coverage lingering at the home of the Bearcats.
Join Austin Jacobsen on the call on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com.
HUSKER FOOTBALL PRACTICE COMMENTS – PLAYERS:
JOHNSON – DAY BY DAY GETTING BETTER WITH NEW COACHES:
Rahmir Johnson, a junior running back, was a major piece in the 2021 Huskers offense but rarely saw the field in 2022. The runner/receiver weapon said after Tuesday’s practice he’s been happy with the new coaching staff and their competitive fight…
Johnson was the second leading rusher for the Big Red in 2021 and is hoping to return to form this season.
JOHNSON – HAD A GOOD OFF-SEASON:
Rahmir Johnson, junior running back, is excited after a coaching staff change and strong off-season for another chance to prove his worth…
Johnson elected to stick with the Huskers after seeing few snaps offensively during 2022, but did contribute on special teams and was available throughout the year.
JOHNSON – WAS AVAILABLE IN 2022; HERE NOW READY TO WORK:
Rahmir Johnson was one of the head scratching stories of the 2022 Huskers – never injured, but constantly underused until his twelve carry day in the season finale at Iowa. Johnson said he’s put last year behind him…
The Huskers have listed Johnson as a utility player once again, and has split some time at running back and receiver.
SIMS – TRANSITION HAS BEEN GOOD EXCEPT FOR COLD:
Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Jeff Sims was all smiles at his Tuesday press conference, and said he’s enjoyed the move to Lincoln with one exception…
The Huskers have a quarterback competition with returning starters Casey Thompson, Logan Smothers, Chubba Purdy still in the fold, while Jeff Sims provides some experience and athleticism. Heinrich Haarberg has also been a prominent player early in spring practices.
SIMS – COACHING STAFF LOOKING FOR TOUGHNESS:
Jeff Sims, junior transfer quarterback for the Big Red, mentioned he doesn’t love the Nebraska cold but is happy the coaching staff is pushing the team to practice through it…
Head Coach Matt Rhule has elected to keep practices outdoors and outside of the indoor practice facility to allow his team to grow comfortable in the colder temperatures.
SIMS – CAME TO LINCOLN TO COMPETE:
Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Jeff Sims selected Nebraska out of the portal to link with Matt Rhule and compete for a starting position behind center. Sims provided his mindset during his Tuesday media comments…
The Huskers have three quarterbacks on their roster who started games in the past two seasons for the Big Red, while Sims provides experience from the ACC where he started four games for the Yellow Jackets.
STORM DROP MIDWEEK MATCHUP AT STARS:
The Tri-City Storm dropped a midweek game to the Lincoln Stars Wednesday afternoon at the Ice Box in a 3-2 loss.
Trevor Connelly and Alex Bump netted Tri-City’s goals in the loss. Tri-City will hit the ice again this weekend, in back-to-back home games at the Viaero Center against the Sioux Falls Stampede.
Puck drop for each upcoming home game is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.
OPENING DAY BEGINS FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL:
Major League Baseball returns Thursday with all 30 teams in action on 2023 Opening Day. Fans will be treated to 12 hours of continuous MLB action with the 15-game slate starting at noon CST.
There are plenty of intriguing matchups on the Opening Day schedule. The Yankees and $360 million man Aaron Judge open the season against the Giants (who tried to pry Judge out of New York over the offseason), while Jacob deGrom will make his Rangers debut in front of home fans as Texas hosts the reigning NL champion Phillies and new shortstop Trea Turner.
It will also be the first regular season contests with the hotly debated pitch clock, giving pitchers 15 seconds to throw with nobody on base and 20 seconds with runners on.
The defensive shift has also been eliminated.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Girls Tennis: @ North Platte Invite – 9:30 AM
- Baseball: @ Lincoln East @ Den Hartog Field – 4 PM
- KGFW Pregame at 3:45 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Boys Golf: @ Amherst Invite – 10 AM
- UNK:
- N/a
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- N/a
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Kearney Baseball @ Lincoln East (3:45 PM – 6:45 PM)
- Sports Nightly (6:45 PM – 8 PM)
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Boys Golf: @ Grand Island Invite @ Riverside Country Club – 9:30 AM
- Track and Field: @ Columbus Invite @ Pawnee Park – 11:30 AM
- Track and Field: @ North Platte Invite – 12:30 PM
- Girls Soccer: v. Lincoln Southeast @ Seacrest Field – 5 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Track and Field: @ Aurora Invite – 1 PM
- UNK:
- Softball: v. Missouri Southern @ Patriot Park – 2 PM
- Softball: v. Missouri Southern @ Patriot Park – 4 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- Men’s Tennis: v. Northwestern – 4 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Baseball: Double Dual @ Lincoln Densmore Field
- GAME 1: v. Millard West – 10:30 AM
- GAME 2: v. Millard South – 1 PM
- Girls Soccer: v. Omaha Buena Vista @ UNK Foster Field – 1 PM
- KGFW Pregame at 12:45 PM
- Boys Soccer: v. Omaha Buena Vista @ UNK Foster Field – 3 PM
- KGFW Pregame at 2:45 PM
- Baseball: Double Dual @ Lincoln Densmore Field
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Girls Soccer: v. York – 1 PM
- Boys Soccer: v. York – 1 PM
- UNK:
- N/a
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- M/W T&F: @ Central Nebraska Challenge @ UNK – 10 AM
- Women’s Tennis: v. Northwestern – 10 AM
- Baseball: v. Doane – 1 PM
- Softball: @ Concordia – 1 PM
- Softball: @ Concordia – 3 PM
- Baseball: v. Doane – 3:30 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Kearney Girls Soccer v. Omaha Buena Vista (12:45 PM – 2:45 PM)
- Kearney Boys Soccer v. Omaha Buena Vista (2:45 PM – 4:45 PM)
- Nebraska Baseball v. Abilene Christian (4:45 PM – 9 PM)
SUNDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- N/a
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- N/a
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- Baseball: @ Doane – 1 PM
- Baseball: @ Doane – 3:30 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
